The women’s health market is fraught with barriers, from a lack of research and funding to regulatory pressures against reproductive health. But it’s gaining more attention as well, which can be seen from the number of women’s health startups entering the market. That’s why we’re launching MedCity FemFwd, a podcast dedicated to examining the challenges and breakthroughs in women’s health.

Michelle Long, senior policy analyst for the Women’s Health Policy program at KFF

Each month, MedCity News Reporter Marissa Plescia will sit down with leaders in the space to discuss timely women’s health topics, including sexual health, fertility, pregnancy, menopause and heart health. If you have any suggestions for episodes, you can email mplescia@medcitynews.com.

In the inaugural episode, Michelle Long, senior policy analyst for the Women’s Health Policy program at KFF, talks about Opill, which recently made headlines as the first daily oral contraceptive approved for nonprescription use in the U.S. Long tells listeners why this news is significant and examines whether the medication will be covered by insurance.